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Market-to-Market Relay 2016

This year the Market-To-Market Relay will be held on Saturday October 8th. The organizers know what a great job we do of looking after the runners and are looking forward to working with the area hams again. The M2M Relay Starts in Omaha at Blue Cross Blue Shield in AkSarBen and finishes in Lincoln at the Haymarket District 78 miles later. Teams of 7 members run 3 stages per person. Each stage is 3 to 5 miles long. The course follows trails, paved streets and gravel back roads of Nebraska.

Our job is to keep track of when the runners arrive at each stage and when the last runner has departed and relay that information to Net Control. If minor medical assistance is needed we can summon the medical personnel who be available at every other exchange point. Omaha area hams cover the first half and the Lincoln area hams pick up when the race crosses the river at exchange point 9. Both Net Controls will be in contact with the event organizers to relay how well the race is going and of any issues that have been relayed via the hams. Mobiles and handhelds are usuable, depending on your location.

The exchange points get a bit busy with waves of runners coming and going, so it is best if there are at least two hams at each exchange point especially the later exchanges when the runners have spread out. WE also need to arrive before the runners and all the vans and usually we are there before the site setup crew and the exchange volunteers. Also, two hams allow for a backup if there is equipment failure or if a last minute personal issue means you can't attend. That means 18 (or more) volunteers. So we need you.

Below is the schedule of the times that hams will be needed. There is no need to arrive before your schedule arrival time. This time is actually about 15 minutes prior to the arrival of the exchange setup crew and volunteers. There is no need to be 15 minutes early, as your arrival time is 15 minutes early. The setup crew and exchange volunteers are scheduled to be there about 15 minutes prior to the runners arriving. Your departure time is also about 15 to 30 minutes after the last runner should depart your area. This will let you “beat the traffic” of the tem vans, and be on site if the runners are running a bit ahead of schedule.